A comment made by UFC flyweight fighter Cody Durden following his victory over opponent Qileng “the Mongolian Murderer” Aori drew immediate backlash, prompting Durden to apologize.
Racist remark: After claiming his first victory as a UFC fighter in a close decision on Saturday, Durden exclaimed that he sent Aori “back to China where he came from,” MMAmania reported.
“I had to send him back to China where he came from” -Cody Durden … Daniel Cormier didn’t know what to say so there was an awkward pause for like 5 seconds LMAO! pic.twitter.com/Au4p2qeCA2
— ✯✯✯✯✯ (@FTBVids_YT) November 20, 2021
- “I knew he was going to be tough, but I had to send him back to China where he came from,” Durden told commentator Daniel Cormier.
- After a momentary silence, Cormier finally said: “My man, congratulations. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Cody Durden!”
- The remark did not go over well among UFC fans and observers who blasted the fighter on social media.
- UFC fighters Jeff Molina, Muhammad Mokaev, Casey O’Neill and Belal Muhammad were among those who called Durden out.
I don’t like Cody Durden racist comment in his interview. Should I smash this guy for my UFC debut? @UFCEurope @ufc
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) November 20, 2021
Such a bozo smh
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 20, 2021
Such a bozo smh
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 20, 2021
Dudes a real POS, I’ll gladly punch him in the face!! 😈 https://t.co/McLXd8puSh
— Jeff Molina 🇺🇸🇨🇴 (@jmolina_125) November 20, 2021
- Asked if he is taking his comments back during the post-fight interview, Durden said: “If they don’t like it, do something. Sign the contract. It doesn’t matter to me, you know. I said what I said and it is what it is… Emotions were high. It’s a fight business. He’s punching me in the face, and I was punching him in the face… It’s his family or mine, and tonight, my family eats.”
Aori’s response: Aori, who hails from Inner Mongolia, called the comment of his “coward” opponent “disgusting” in an Instagram post.
- “I destroyed this coward in the cage, but the judges gave him a chance to say something disgusting through his disgusting mouth,” the 28-year-old fighter wrote. “He can do nothing in the fight, and I saw fear through his eyes. He is a coward.”
@aoriqileng • Instagram photos and videos
- In a tweet, Durden defended his remark and even accused Aori of being disrespectful: “Listen, the guy was disrespectful, and wouldn’t shake my hand at the weigh-ins. After beating him, I simply meant he could go home wherever that may have been. I apologize if I offended anyone, that certainly was not my intention!”
Featured Image via MMA Junkie
